Circuit-closer



(No Model.)

H. B. 00X.

CIRCUIT CLOSER.

Patented Nov. 2, 1 886.

UNITED STATES HABRYB. ooX, or

CINCINNA I, OHIO.

CLOSERQ SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 352,043, dated November 2, 1886.

Application filed May 1, 1886. SerialNo. 2 00,852. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, HARRY B. Cox, of Cincinnati, in the county of Hamilton and State clear, and exact description of the invention,

which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanyingdraw- 7 ings, andto the letters of reference marked thereon, which form part of this specification.

My invention relates to circuit-closing devices for that class of electric bell-cords consisting of two wires which maintain normally an open circuit, and which operate the alarmbell in the engine of a railway-train or elsewhere by closing the circuit; and it has for itsobject to furnish means for attaching the cords of each car so that a pull made by the conductor in the usual manner, in which he sounds a mechanical or ordinary gong alarm, will operate the closer to close the circuit.

With this object in view my invention consists in the" improved construction, arrangement, and combination of devices hereinafter fully described, and afterward specifically pointed out in the claims.

In the. accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a view in side elevation,'fully illustrating my invention in the position of rest. Fig. 2 is a similar view illustrating it in the position'it assumes when the cord is pulled and the circuit closed. Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the stationary member. Fig. 4is a central longitudinal vertical section therethrough. Fig. 5

is aview in side elevation of the movable mem-' her. Fig. 6 is a central longitudinal vertical section therethrough, and Fig. 7 is a front elevation of the whole device.

Like letters of reference indicate the same parts wherever they occur in the various figures of the drawings.

Referring to the drawings by letters, A is the stationary member, and B the movable member. Each of these members is substantially composed of two side plates of metal and a central insulating-body, the plates in member A being marked 0 G, and those in mem-. berB, D D. The central insulating-core of the stationary member is marked E, and that of the movable member F. Each of the plates CC is provided with side projecting ears,c c, I

perforated to receive screws to secure itto the end of the car, and each plate also has a cleat, c, to which is attached the wire which passes through the end of the car and is coupled to the wires of the next car. The front end of each plate is cut away, as is seen at c, and has a side projecting pin, 0 thus forming pi'ntles, upon which the movable member is hung. Furthermore, each plate is provided with flanges to partially embrace the central insu latingbody. On the outside of each plate is secured a fiat spring, G G, the outer ends, 9 g,

of which are fiaredoutwardly, such springs serving to guide the movable member to its positionof engagement with the stationary member. A 5

Each of the side metallic plates, 0 C, is provided with the parts. just described, those-of each plate corresponding in construction with the other; but the plate 0 has also an upwardly-projecting shoulder, H, which is provided with a platinum surface, it. The plates 0 G and springs G G are secured to the central insulating-body, E, by screws e e, as shown,

thus forming a rigid structure.

The plates D D of the movable member B are each provided with a hook, d, which engages with the pins 0, projecting from the cutaway portions of the plates 0 0. Suitable flanges are also made on the plates D D,to partially incase the central body, F. 7 Besides this, the plate D is provided with a foot, I, which projects laterally over the plate D, and is provided with a platinum surface, The plates are secured to the body F by screws f, and

each has a cleat, as at d to which to attach the wires which pass through the car to the circuit-closer at the other end, and are sup ported in the ordinary bell-cord rings, with which every car is provided. I

A spiralor other spring, L, is secured to a lug, Z, on plate Dat one end, and to a lug, Z, on theplate G at the other end, and serves to hold the parts normally in the position shown in Fig. 1, in which position the circuitis open. This spring also has a tendency to keep the bell-cord straight and prevent it hanging down in the way of passengers.

By means-of the metallic connection always existing between the plates on each side of the stationary and movable members and the cor- ICO responding connected wire a continuous conducting-line is kept up on each side, so that as soon as any part of one side line is brought in contact with any portion of the other the circuit is closed. This is accomplished by my device by pulling at any point on the cord. This completion of the circuit is accomplished in this case by pulling the lowerend of the movable member, through the medium of the cord, in the direction of the arrow in Figs. 1 and 2, which throws the top thereof in the opposite direction, thus bringing the foot I on plate D on one side ofsaid movable member into contact with the shoulder H upon the plate 0 upon the opposite side of the stationary member. The contact-surfaces h and i are, as before stated, made of platinum, in order to prevent the destruction of such surfaces by frequent making and breaking the contact, at which time an intense heat is generated.

It is obvious that when the parts are in the position indicated in Fig. l the electric lcircuit is open, since there is no metallic connection between the plate 0 of the member A and the plate D of the member B. When, however, the parts assume the position seen in Fig. 2, the current can flow through the plate 0, plate D, foot I, contact-points h 2', projection H, and plate 0, for the purpose of operating a suitable alarm or signal.

Any approved coupling may be used in connection with the circuit-closer, whereby the cords maybe coupled anduncoupled when the cars are to be separated.

It is obvious that my circuit-closer may be employed for other purposes with advantage as well as in railroad-cars.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is

1. A circuit-closer for a double bell-cord, comprising a movable and a fixed member,

each consisting of two metallic side plates, and

an intervening insulating core or body, the plate on one side of one of the members having a projection, and the plate on the opposite side of the other member having a laterallyprojecting foot adapted to be brought into contact with said projection by pulling upon the bell-cord, as set forth.

2. A circuit-c1oser having a movable and a stationary member pivoted together, each consisting of two insulated metallic plates, the plates on one side of the stationary member and the opposite side of the movable member having projections or contact-points, in combination with a spring connecting the plates on one side of each member, whereby thecontactpoints are normally held apart, as set forth.

3. The combination of the plate 0, having an upward projection, H, attaching-flange c, and pin 0 the plateG, having a similar flange and pin, and the plate D, having a laterallyprojecting foot, I, and a hook, d, and the plate D, having asimilar hook,with the double wires of an electric circuit connected with the plates 0 GD D, substantially as herein set forth.

4.. The combination of the plates 0 G, intervening insulating material E, and pins 0', formed on said plates, and the plates D D, provided with hooks to engage said pins, with the double wires of an electric circuit connected with the various plates, substantially as set forth.

5. The combination of the plates'O O, insulated from each other, and having recesses 0, pins 0 and projecting spring-plates G G, with flaring ends, and theinsulated plates provided with hooks d to engage the pins 0 substantially as herein set forth.

6. In combination, the stationary member consisting of plates 0 0, each of which is provided with a perforated ear for the securingscrew, a cleat for the wire, a recessed endand a pivot, the plate 0 having a projection, H, and a lug to receive one end of a spring, the movable member consisting of two insulated plates, D D, each of which has a hook to engage said pivots,and a cleat to which to secure the wires, the plate D having a lug to engage the spring, and the plate D having an overhanging ioot, and the spiral spring by which the projection and foot are kept normally out of engagement, as set forth.

7. In combination, member A, having plates 0 0, provided with recesses c, and pivots or pintles 0, member 13, having plates D D, provided with hooks to engage said pivots, and springs G G, secured to plates 0 C, and having outwardly-flared ends 9 g, for the purpose set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I atfix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

HARRY B. COX. lVitnesses:

O. E. DUFFY, GEO. F. BELDEN. 

